Born into a distinguished Arab-American family and raised amid privilege, Lisa Halaby was in the first co-educational freshman class at Princeton, graduating in 1974 with a degree in architecture and urban planning. Then, in 1976, she was introduced, on an airport runway, to King Hussein of Jordan, a direct descendent of the prophet Muhammed. In less than two years, she was his wife, Noor al-Hussein, Queen of Jordan. 
With eloquence and candour, Noor talks frankly of the many challenges of her life as wife and partner to the monarch, providing both an intimate portrait of the late King Hussein and his quest for peace in the Middle East, and a moving account of the demands his public role as a world statesman placed on the royal couple's private life. Sharing a personal perspective on the past three decades of world history, Leap of Faith highlights Queen Noor's views on Islam and the West; the challenges of rearing her family; her work as Queen and humanitarian activist; and her struggles to protect her husband as he slipped into the illness that would kill him in 1999. Her story is filled with recollections of the world's most powerful and interesting people: Queen Elisabeth, Jimmy Carter, Pierre Trudeau, Yassar Arafat and Anwar Sadat. In the wake of September 11, Noor reflects on the true message of Islam and the ongoing violence in the Middle East from her unique perspective with a deep and abiding understanding of Arab aspirations and history. 
Leap of Faith is refreshingly candid and clear-eyed, a true love story set against the turbulent politics of the last thirty years.

A Leap of Faith : Memoir of an Unexpected Life

Queen Noor

Biographies & Memoirs

Weidenfeld&Nicolson

Born into a distinguished Arab-American family, Lisa Halaby was a strongly independent young woman. After studying architecture at Princeton, her work on projects in the Middle East gave her a profound understanding both of the links between the environment and social problems, and also of the tumultuous history of the Arab nations. Then, in 1974, her life took a very different turn, when her father introduced her to the world's most eligible bachelor, King Hussein of Jordan. After a whirlwind romance, she became Noor Al Hussein, Queen of Jordan. With eloquence and honesty, Queen Noor speaks of the obstacles she faced as a young bride and of her successful struggle to create a role for herself as a humanitarian activist. She tells of her heartbreaking miscarriage and the births of her four children, along with her continuing support for King Hussein's campaign to bring peace to the Arab nations. But most of all this is a love story - an honest and engaging portrait of a truly remarkable woman and the man she married.

Phoenix Paperbacks

Born into a distinguished Arab-American family and raised amid privilege, Lisa Halaby was in the first co-educational freshman class at Princeton, graduating in 1974 with a degree in architecture and urban planning. Following graduation, her work on projects in the Middle East gave her a profound understanding both of the links between the environment and social problems, and also of the tumultuous history of the Arab nations. Then, in 1974, her life took a very different turn, when her father introduced her to the world's most eligible bachelor, King Hussein of Jordan. After a whirlwind romance, she became Noor Al Hussein, Queen of Jordan. Sharing a personal perspective on the past three decades of world history, Leap of Faith highlights Queen Noor's views on Islam and the West; the challenges of rearing her family; her work as Queen and humanitarian activist; and her struggles to protect her husband as he slipped into the illness that would kill him in 1999. Leap of Faith is refreshingly candid and clear-eyed, a true love story set against the turbulent politics of the last thirty years.

Leap of Faith: Memoir of an Unexpected Life

Miramax Books

A collection of writings about the Montezuma Castle in New Mexico. Articles include: Intro by Queen Noor; Birth of the Castle by Philip O. Geier; The Rich and Famous by Jon Bowman; Resort Fit for Royalty by Heidi Utz; Then and Now by Nancy Hanks and Mark Thaler; Renovation Portfolio by Polly Mullen, Chun Y. Li, and Bette Brodsky; One World United by Craig Smith; Montezuma Memoria by Elmo Baca.

Montezuma: The Castle in the West

History

Craig Smith

Elmo Baca

Heidi Utz

Nancy Hanks

Philip O. Geier

Americas

New Mexico Magazine

A #1 New York Times BestsellerThis is the story of a young American woman who became wife and partner to an Arab monarch. It provides a compelling portrait of the late King Hussein and his lifelong effort to bring peace to his war torn region, and an insider's view of the growing gulf between the United States and the Arab nations. It is also the refreshingly candid story of a mother coming to terms with the demands the king's role as a world statesman placed on her family's private life. But most of all it is a love story -- the intimate account of a woman who lost her heart to a king, and to his people.

Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life

Leaders & Notable People

Wheeler Publishing

A New York Times Bestseller The dramatic and inspiring story of an American woman's remarkable journey into the heart of a man and his nation.
 In 1976, while visiting her father in Jordan, Lisa Halaby was casually introduced on the airport runway to King Hussein. Widely admired in the Arab world as a voice of moderation, and for his direct lineage to the prophet Muhammad, Hussein would soon become the world's most eligible bachelor after the tragic death of his wife. The next time they met, Hussein would fall headlong in love with the athletic, outspoken daughter of his longtime friend. After a whirlwind, secret courtship, Lisa Halaby became Noor Al Hussein, Queen of Jordan.
 This is the story of a young American woman who became wife and partner to an Arab monarch. It provides a compelling portrait of the late King Hussein and his lifelong effort to bring peace to his war-torn region, and an insider's view of the growing gulf between the United States and the Arab nations. It is also the refreshingly candid story of a mother coming to terms with the demands the king's role as a world statesman placed on her family's private life. But most of all it is a love story - the intimate account of a woman who lost her heart to a king, and to his people.

Large Print Press

When Lisa Najeeb Halaby was twenty-six, her father introduced her to King Hussein of Jordan. Within a year, she became his fourth wife. Born in 1951 to a distinguished Arab-American family, Lisa was unsure what her role would be. King Hussein was not only the head of state in Jordan, but also considered the spiritual leader of all Muslims. This memoir provides a vital perspective on thirty years of turbulent world history from the Arab point of view: the displacement of over one million Palestinians by the creation of Israel, Husseins frustrating efforts for peace, and the impact of Saddam Hussein and the Gulf War on Jordan and the royal family. A fascinating and dramatic portrait of a woman who took a great risk in a part of the world where womens roles are narrowly defined.

Community & Culture

AudioGO

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Queen Noor. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Queen Noor

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Queen Noor. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

A Leap of Faith : Memoir of an Unexpected Life

A Leap of Faith : Memoir of an Unexpected Life

Leap of Faith: Memoir of an Unexpected Life

Montezuma: The Castle in the West

Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life

Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life

Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life